Passover and Business Hosting Etiquette

Passover and Business

08.04.2014 / 11:45:07

Passover and Business Hosting Etiquette

Tami Lancut Leibovitz

Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays,and it aims to instill in us two major principles - the first of which is to offer a seat at the seder table for any who needs it, or - to be civil human beings. Passover is a great opportunity to strengthen our “foreign relations”.

If you know any foreigners who are here during Passover,there is nothing more generous and righteous than to invite them to Seder. A business colleague at your table during Passover will forever remember and feel obligated towards you, and it will be because you' earned it. And while we’re on the subject - gifts should typically only be handed down from employers to employees,and exchanged between those present at the seder.

Greetings, however, should be sent out in as big of numbers as possible - both physically and digitally. This is a great opportunity to both get in touch with those you haven’t talked to in a while, and to sustain existing relationships.

Some tips for electronic greeting cards * Don’t assume the card will only be seen by its recipient, and as such don’t write anything you wouldn’t want others to see.
* Be concise out of respect for your recipient’s time. End with a personal signature, including your name and website / email address. If you’re sending a greeting
card to a business associate / client, make sure to keep the text formal and to include the company’s logo. Also, be sure to add your professional title.
* Don’t send a greeting card en masse through a mailing list - it’s obvious and impersonal.

The Jewish Passover happens to coincide with the Christian holiday, Easter, and it is recommend that you take the time to wish your non-Israeli clients and colleagues a happy holiday as well. Our world has long become a “global village”, and the boundaries between different religions and cultures have been long gone… expand your horizons,and don’t be afraid to take part in and appreciate customs that are different from yours.

The second principles instilled in us through Passover is freedom. We are told each of us must see ourselves as if we ourselves escaped the shackles of slavery, and become true to our own conscious and self. In my opinion, this is a great time to “clean our image”, be honest with who we are and where we are headed, and become enthusiastic in achieving our personal goals.

One Last Tip for the Holiday of Spring When you’re busy with the chores of Passover, remember to stay calm and approach everything with a positive frame
of mind. Passover is a holiday for renewal and it is best taken advantage of when approached positively.